A More Basic Virtue

Gospel: Matthew 20: 1-16

Jesus gives us the image of day laborers to teach an important lesson about virtue and priorities.  Day laborers, then as now, are extremely vulnerable people dependent upon the daily wage to provide for their families.  It is their need, not any consideration of the owner, that is of priority in the story, and that which should be our priority in every society.  

There is a cynical view of virtue that looks upon the generosity of the owner in the story as laudable but not in any way mandatory for everyone to follow.  But the story is not about generosity; it is about a much greater virtue - justice.  It is justice that requires everyone to receive a living wage, to be able to provide for one's family in their necessities of food, clothing, shelter, health care.  A society that sees providing these things as generosity and not justice is far from the kingdom of heaven.  

It is a virtuous society that upholds justice for all and seeks to ensure that all are provided for their basic needs which belong to all by right.  It is a wicked society that sees such things as optional and only for some.  To seek justice is to seek the greater virtue for all, and to provide justice with love is even greater still.  This is what Jesus calls us to be and to do.